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flict with Alinor's capability. Simon had always said Alinor could manage the property, except for the actual practice of war when that was necessary. However, Ian had never had occasion to discuss such matters with her. When Simon was well, their talk had always been of politics, not the bunting of reavers or the control of vassals. For the past year and a half, moreover, he had seen Alinor at an enormous disadvantage, absorbed as she was by Simon's illness. There were other capable womenNicola de la Hay, for examplebut their abilities seemed to have rubbed off on their persons. They were mannish of manner as well as of mind. Alinor alone, it seemed to Ian, was totally feminineeven when she was overbearing. |
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It did not occur to Ian that Alinor was honest with him, whereas those among the women with whom he had played at love, who had brains and ability, had had reason to conceal those attributes from him. Although Ian was unconscious of it, he encouraged their silly simpering by his acceptance and seeming approval of it. In fact, he was known not to keep company with women who talked of serious matters. This was not because Ian particularly liked gabbling nonsense but because he did not trust the women he played with. Surely a woman who betrayed her husband with her body would think little of betraying a lover with her mouth. In the past, Ian's relations with women had been totally formal or purely physicalthe quicker into bed the better. The only reason he did not confine himself to professional whores was that there were so few of them that were not completely filthy and degraded both in mind and body. |
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Now, although he was surprised by Alinor's quick understanding and analysis, Ian was not offended by it. He was relieved that he would not need to make a long explanation for which he had little time. "I will write to Winchester, of course," he agreed, "but I am not sure where he is. I do not greatly fear his anger in any |
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